US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides appeared to warn that time is running out to finalize Israel's participation in the US Visa Waiver program.
"Continuing to work hard to get #VisaWaiverProgram done to benefit both Israelis and Americans. Can't slow down now. #TeamEffort," Nides tweeted.
The tweet also featured an image of an alarm clock, signaling that there is limited time for the move to happen.
Efforts to add Israel to the US Visa Waiver Program were thrown into chaos with the dissolution of the Knesset and the announcement of new elections in June. Ambassador Nides has called on Israeli government officials and MKs throughout Israel's political spectrum to make the Visa exemption agreement a bipartisan issue.
The US has conditioned Israel's addition to the Visa Waiver Program on the passage of three bills which would grant American authorities partial access to information on travelers to the US, which is required of all participating nations.
The bills have been held up in the Knesset by the Likud party, which refuses to allow their passage. Officials on both sides fear that the agreement may be delayed by a year if the bills are not passed in the coming weeks.
Channel 12 News reported that Nides met with Likud chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to convince him to allow the bills to pass. The Likud has denied that any such meeting took place.
The Likud issued a statement Tuesday saying that as Israel would not be eligible to join the Visa Waiver Program this year in any event, there is no urgency in passing the legislation.